Disclaimer: As you know, I only own Damien.

A/N: thanks for all your reviews!

Hermione walked into the bathroom with her dress and a trunk load of other stuff she would need. She had decided that she would do her hair first. It took her nearly an hour to do it, but she had it up a delicate and complicated bun of sorts with little curly strands left out here and there. She also wove a few beads of amethyst into it, and her hair looked absolutely perfect.

Then she started on her make up. Her friends had all given her tips over the weeks and it was so confusing for a girl who usually wore only a little bit of face powder and lip-gloss. But the end result looked good. She had on a slight reddish lip-gloss, a hint of blush, eyeshadow, and mascara.

Next was the dress. It was beautiful. It was a short black dress, but long enough for a little slit up the side. It laced up in the back and had no straps. She twirled around in the mirror and felt so happy. Draco was going to love her!

Another hour passed by and she was almost done. She was just adding the final touches to her outfit. She took one last look in the mirror and sighed. This was definitely going to be the most nerve-wracking thing she had ever experienced.

She exited the bathroom and went to meet Draco who was waiting for her in the common room. He was sitting on a couch staring into the fire. She watched him from the back. She noticed that his hair was parted the way she liked it. It brought a tiny smile to her face. Then she cleared her throat to gain his attention.

He turned around and stood up. His jaw practically dropped. He stared and looked her over. Hermione felt a little nervous, as it seemed he was looking at every inch of her from head to toe. He was trying to say something, but he stuttered a bit.

"Like what you see?" She laughed.

"Hermione, you look gorgeous." He breathed.

"Thank you." Hermione looked down at her feet.

Draco walked over to her and gave her a bouquet of roses. Hermione smiled and sent them into his room and into a vase. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him for a few moments.

"Are you ready?" He whispered softly into her ear.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She nodded and took the arm that he offered to her.

Hermione's heart began to race. This was going to be it. They would no longer be a secret. The entire school, and probably from there most of the wizarding world would know of their relationship. Hermione only wished that they could keep it secret just a little bit longer, but she knew deep down that she couldn't.

They stepped outside of the prefect common room and began walking down the hall. There was no one anywhere to be seen. All of the other students were either in bed already or in the great hall. Hermione walked nervously with Draco until they reached the door, which happened to be closed.

"This is it." Draco paused before opening it.

He leaned down for one last kiss. The last kiss that they would ever have to hide. From here on out it would no longer be a secret. Hermione held him to her for just another moment, and then he opened the door, and for a moment Hermione felt as if her world just might come to an end.

The door swung open and Hermione and Draco entered. Most of the people were dancing happily, but about a third of the room stopped and stared in shock. Girls dropped their jaws in shock. Some even looked as if they were about to cry! Guys shook their head in disapprovement and disgust.

Hermione felt a little sad that people reacted this way, although there were the few people who were smiling at her and seemed to approve. Lavender and some of her friends were giggling with delight. Some of the Hufflepuff girls and a few of the guys were saying things like how sweet it was or it's great to see houses such as theirs mixing.

Draco led her out to the floor and held his hand out for her. He smiled sweetly and Hermione giggled slightly as she took his hand and started to dance.

I'm tugging at my hair

I'm pulling at my clothes

I'm trying to keep my cool

I know it shows

I'm staring at my feet

My checks are turning red

I'm searching for the words inside my head

Hermione stared into Draco's eyes with adoration as they began to dance. It had been an amazing few months with him. It was amazing to her that one person could make her feel so much, and what amazed her even more, was that he had picked her.

(Cause) I'm feeling nervous

Trying to be so perfect

Cause I know you're worth it

You're worth it

Yeah

He smiled at her and kissed her softly on the lips. Hermione smiled and sighed. She knew eventually the song would end and they would have to face the world again, but for the moment she just wanted to enjoy the time she was happily spending with him.

If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I wanna blow you... away

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight

If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down

On one knee

Marry me today

Yes, I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say

"I don't want this song to ever end." Draco whispered in her ear.

It don't do me any good

It's just a waste of time

What use is it to you

What's on my mind

If ain't coming out

We're not going anywhere

So why can't I just tell you that I care

"Same here. Can you even imagine what they're going to do to us? It's going to be disastrous more then likely. Ugh, all I can say is that I am not looking forward to tomorrow." Hermione sighed.

(Cause) I'm feeling nervous

Trying to be so perfect

Cause I know you're worth it

You're worth it

Yeah

"If it means another day with you then I look forward to you. Good day or bad day, doesn't matter. You're all that matters to me now." He stated.

If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I wanna blow you... away

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight

If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down

On one knee

Marry me today

Yes, I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say

As his words processed into her brain she felt cheerful again. He always knew what to say to make her feel better.

What's wrong with my tongue

These words keep slipping away

I stutter, I stumble

Like I've got nothing to say (Cause) I'm feeling nervous

Trying to be so perfect

Cause I know you're worth it

You're worth it

Yeah

"Hermione, no matter what happens tonight, please don't leave me." Draco softly pleaded. So softly Hermione almost thought she didn't hear it, except for the fact that he had a sort of sad expression.

If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I wanna blow you... away

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight

If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down

On one knee

Marry me today

Yes, I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say

"I promise." Hermione leaned up to kiss him, and this time a real kiss. Not a soft brushing of the lips, a real kiss. She was almost sure the entire room was now watching her, so she didn't look at them. Although she head girls then sobbing, squealing, and yelling.

Yes I'm wishing my life away with these things I'll never say

If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I wanna blow you...away

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight

If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down

On one knee

Marry me today

Yes, I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say

These things I'll never say

And it ended. The song was over, and it was announced that they were having some problems, so there would be a ten minute break between now and the next song. Hermione's heart raced once again. Oh the terrible things she knew were coming.

Draco wrapped an arm around her protectively, because he saw the people nearing them. Hermione held on to his other hand, and squeezed it tightly. A crowd encircled them and they were trapped.

Slowly a small crowd approached them. Mainly Gryffindors and Slytherins. They were shouting with disapproval and screaming out questions. Hermione wanted to cover her ears and just shrivel up. Then two figures stepped through the crowd and it all became silent, and everyone watched like it was some sort of show.

Harry stopped and stared. He wore a look of hurt and then of hatred. Hermione felt an ache deep inside. Not the kind where the person you love hurts you, but the kind where you hurt someone you feel deeply for, and you can clearly see it. Harry shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Hermione, what's going on?" Harry asked, his voice shaky.

Hermione opened her mouth, but she had to think carefully of what to say. This was a delicate situation. Yet she wasn't given the opportunity to answer Harry. Pansy headed straight for them and she looked pissed!

"What the hell is this?" She screamed at them.

"This, Pansy, is my girlfriend." Draco smirked, he was enjoying this!

"That thing is your girlfriend! How could you? You chose that filthy mudblood over me!" She shrieked.

"Don't you ever call her that again!" Draco warned her.

"And why not?" She sneered.

"You won't. Not if you value your life." He growled.

"You disgust me! You've been with this filthy blooded creature and it sickens me! You could have had me Draco! Together we could have had the world, but no. You want her. Fine, you can have her, as long as she lives anyway." Pansy hissed.

"Is that a treat?" Draco coldly stared at her with hatred.

"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. It depends on if you decide to come to your senses or not." She smirked and walked off.

Hermione glared coldly at her as she disappeared through the crowd and out the door. How could that little bitch be so mean? Hermione wondered, and then mentally added her to her list of suspects. That was way too creepy.

Hermione noticed that as soon as Pansy left a trail of Slytherin girls followed her, which made the environment much nicer and much friendlier. Then she saw Harry, still waiting there to be acknowledged. Waiting for an answer, and Hermione felt so sorry for him.

"Harry, I'm so sorry." Hermione said barely above a whisper.

"I know, but why Hermione? Why didn't you tell me? You led me to believe that you still had feelings for me, and then when I told you how I felt you tell me there's someone else, and that's all the explanation I got." Harry sighed.

Hermione let go of Draco for a moment and walked over to Harry. She hugged him tightly, just like old times, and then returned to Draco's side. She looked away for a moment, and then back at Harry.

"Harry, I couldn't tell you at the time. You would have freaked out on me. Not that it wouldn't have happened anyway, but I needed time to get to know Draco. I needed time to sort out all my feelings, and I just needed some space. So many things have been going on lately Harry. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I truly didn't mean to." Hermione apologized.

They talked for a while longer, and the music started up again. People got bored with this little show and walked away. Some stayed, but Draco got rid of them. They knew they were in for a rough time, especially since pretty much everyone knew now. Hermione's friends wouldn't be talking to her for a long time, and Draco's aquaitinances would glare at them constantly, and think him stupid for being with her.

Draco led Hermione away from everything and took her outside. It was nice and quiet. The stars were out, and you could hear the crickets. Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione, but then he turned her to face him. He looked, nervous and hopeful.

"Draco, is something wrong?" She asked with concern.

"No, it's just. . ." He looked away.

"It's just what Draco?" She inquired.

"Hermione, I've never felt this way before, and I've never said this to anyone before. . ." He stuttered.

"Yes?" Hermione waited.

"Hermione Granger, I love you."

A/N: Wasn't that so sweet? Now, I'm not sure if I should end it here? Or if I should finish out through the year and let Hermione and Draco find out who is behind all these little attacks on Hermione? And of course if I continue I'll finish up everything with Damien and the Care of Magical Creatures Project! So review and let me know what you want! Also, the song in here is by Avril Lavigne!